Dermatology

At Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care, our veterinary dermatology specialists are highly trained to diagnose and treat a wide spectrum of skin, ear, hair, and nail disorders in dogs and cats. When routine treatments are not enough, we step in with advanced diagnostics, tailored therapies, and long-term management strategies to restore comfort and wellbeing.

What Conditions We Treat

Our dermatology team treats many skin and ear conditions, including:

Allergies (environmental, food, contact, flea)
Skin infections: bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and atypical organisms
Autoimmune skin disorders
Skin cancer
Endocrine-related skin issues
Alopecia (hair loss) disorders
Recurrent or persistent ear infections
Nail and claw problems

Diagnostic & Treatment Procedures

To accurately diagnose and manage dermatologic disorders, we offer:

Cytology (examining cells from skin/ear to identify infection or other changes)
Skin scraping for mites or parasites
Skin biopsies and dermatopathology to examine tissue in detail
Video otoscopy for deep ear issues
Minor mass removal procedures (often without full anesthesia)
Environmental allergy testing (including intradermal testing)
Fungal and bacterial cultures to tailor antimicrobial therapy
Cryotherapy for suitable lesions or skin growths

Why Choose Our Dermatology Service

Expertise: Dermatology team with depth of experience in complex and chronic skin conditions.
In-depth diagnostics: More precise testing than often available in general practice, which leads to better outcomes.
Customized care plans: Treatments are tailored to your pet’s history, environment, diagnostic results, and response to prior therapies.
Long-term support: Managing dermatologic diseases often means ongoing care; we partner with you and your primary vet for follow-ups, monitoring, and adjustments.

Schedule an Appointment

If your pet is experiencing persistent skin or ear problems, hair loss, nail issues, or other dermatologic concerns, we encourage you to reach out. Our dermatology team is ready to help diagnose, treat, and manage to improve your pet’s quality of life.

Resources

Environmental Allergies in Pets: Diagnosis and Management

By Tyler Charbonneau, DVM, DACVD, Dermatology Introduction Spring and summer are just around the corner, bringing with them warmer weather and days at the beach.…

Tyler Charbonneau

DVM, DACVD, Dermatology

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Frequently Asked Questions

Many cases begin with your primary veterinarian, and referrals help us coordinate care and review your pet’s medical history. If your pet’s symptoms persist, your veterinarian can refer you for specialty dermatology care, or you’re also welcome to contact our office directly.

Depending on your pet’s symptoms, this might include skin cytology, cultures (bacterial or fungal), skin scrapings, biopsies, allergy tests, and detailed ear examinations.

It depends on the condition. Some skin infections respond rapidly to treatment; chronic allergies or immune-mediated conditions can require months of therapy and periodic reassessment.

Yes. Good nutrition, timely flea control, environmental assessment for allergens, and early veterinary evaluation of itching, ear pain, or skin lesions can help catch issues early.